Undrained Response of Clean and Silty Sands (original) (raw)

An experimental investigation was undertaken to study the effect of small amounts nonplastic fines on the undrained shear response of sands. Mixtures of Ottawa sand containing 0, 5, 10 and 15% nonplastic silts were studied in a triaxial set up under undrained conditions. The response of the mixtures was summarized based on four characteristic states observed during undrained shearing. These states are the flow liquefaction state, the phase transformation state, the quasi steady state and the critical state. The effects of silt content and initial fabric on relationships describing these characteristic states are highlighted in this paper.